Drop Shot Worm: Set Or No Set

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

A friend of mine said when you get a strike on a drop shot worm you don't have to set the hook. He says you just start reeling and the fish will hook itself. Anyone heard of this? I usually set all the time but just wanted some input. Thanks! Joe.

[Gangley]

It's not the style of fishing, its the style of hook that determines whether or not you use a traditional hookset. If you are using a circle or octopus hook, a bionic ninja hookset is not required, just lift the rod and start reeling. If you are using a straight shank, ewg, offset, etc. hook then a standard, firm, south to north hook set will work fine.

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Bionic ninja hook set!! Lol that's priceless. I have done my share of those. That makes sense about the hook styles. Are fish more likely to let the worm out of their mouth if you set it too early with the drop using one of the "set able" hooks?

[sarcazmo]

I believe Glenn demonstrates this in one of his movies.

Rather than setting the hook, you just lift the rod up. I believe this has to do with the style of hook that is predominantly used when drop shotting. I have used his method with great success. I've never done a hard hookset with drop shot.

[Darren.]

What I'll do in most cases is simply reel down, lowering the tip of my rod while reeling and gently lift or sweep my rod. Thin wire hooks penetrate more easily and run the risk of ripping through if you hook like trying to set a dull nail through the mouth.

[Brian Needham]

I use the VMC spinshot hooks (love them) and I reel into the fish and lift the rod, no setting. Caught 4 pounders doing this.

this is also Glenn's "method" of drop shot hook setting.

[WRB]

Drop shot is usually fished straight down on light tackle using light wire hooks. The hook set should match the hook size, rod power and line size. Reel set and rod lift or sweep puts maximum force to the hook point without tearing the hook out of the basses mouth. If your drop shot hook is a heavy wire and rigged so the point is in the worm body, then a snap set to drive the hook point through the soft plastic works. Several factors to consider; nose hooked, exposed hook point with light wire super sharp hook requires little pressure to penetrate the basses lip and this is how most anglers rig a drop shot.

Tom

[Tmmytomato]

About five years ago I realized that my drop shotting is best done with an octopus circle hook. Just lower the rod tip and lift and reel - no mega zilla (whatever that was) hook sets. The hook almost always catches the corner of the mouth and with decent pressure and controlled reeling you will land nearly 100% of your hookups.

[Arv]

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/dropshot-fishing.html

[Dave P]

About five years ago I realized that my drop shotting is best done with an octopus circle hook. Just lower the rod tip and lift and reel - no mega zilla (whatever that was) hook sets. The hook almost always catches the corner of the mouth and with decent pressure and controlled reeling you will land nearly 100% of your hookups.

This X100

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

I can't wait to try that technique tomorrow Dave and tmmytomato. ;-)

[CPBassFishing]

It depends on the hook. I use light wire #1 octopus hooks, so all I do is tighten down and start fighting the fish. With normal hooks you may have to yank a bit

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

So the octopus hooks are the cats meow. :-)

[CPBassFishing]

So the octopus hooks are the cats meow. :-)

I guess you could say that. I have not yet tried circle hooks, ill get some in my next TW order.

[jeb2]

I also use the VMC Spinshot hooks. I do set the hook. Not like when fishing a jig or rig, but it's not just a reel and lift, either. I've found my hook up percentage is always better when I set the hook.

I guess you just need to experiment to find what works best for you.